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Aralia Polyscias

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Arthrophyllum
  • Gelibia
  • Maralia
Phonetic Spelling
pol-ISS-skee-as
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Aralia is a genus of woody shrubs or small trees that are native to Tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, parts of Australia, and the Pacific Islands. It has 181 accepted species, and they are frequently used for ornamental purposes, but they also have some medicinal value. The genus name, Polyscias, is derived from the Greek words polys, meaning "many" and from skias, meaning "shade or umbrella." This references the leaves that create a canopy-like appearance. This genus is a member of the ivy family (Araliaceae). 

These plants prefer full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained, acidic, organically rich soil. They are winter hardy in USDA Zones 11 to 12. In temperate climates such as North Carolina, these plant are best grown as a houseplant. Indoors, these plants prefer indirect bright sun or partial shade. Direct sunlight should be avoided for extended periods. These plants will thrive in a potting mix that includes peat and sand. Good drainage is required, and it is best to allow the soil to dry out between deep watering; however,  avoid overwatering or allowing the soil to become too dry.  Being a tropical plant, high humidity is beneficial.  Consider misting on a regular basis or place the plant container on a tray of wet pebbles. Room temperatures should not drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Pruning the tips of the branches will encourage more dense foliage and additional branching. These plants can be propagated by stem cuttings. 

An evergreen shrub or small tree that has slender, upright branches. These woody plants have glossy, tri-folate or compound leaves that may be delicate, lacy to serrate margins, and they are usually clustered at the end of the branches. The leaf colors are various shades of green and some have cream to gold variegations. The flowers are terminal and appear as panicles of umbels. Outside of the tropics, this plant rarely blooms. The flowers produce fruits that are globose drupes.

Plants of this genus may be used as a tropical ornamental houseplants and are also suitable for bonsai. In warmer climates, these plants can used as an accent plant or hedge.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids, scale, mealybugs, whiteflies, and nematodes. Over moist soil may cause root rot.  Too dry soil may attract mites. Leaf drop can occur from inadequate humidity.

All parts of these plant are poisonous to humans and pets, if ingested. Skin irritation can also occur. Keep these plants out of the reach of children and pets and wear protective gloves when handling them.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Polpscias balfouriana (Balfour Aralia), Polyscias fruiticosa (Ming Aralia), Polyscias guilfoylei (Coffee Tree or Geranium Aralia)
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#houseplant#shrub#interiorscape#low maintenance#winter interest#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#easy to grow houseplant#poisonous if ingested#broad leaf evergreen
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Polpscias balfouriana (Balfour Aralia), Polyscias fruiticosa (Ming Aralia), Polyscias guilfoylei (Coffee Tree or Geranium Aralia)
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#houseplant#shrub#interiorscape#low maintenance#winter interest#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#easy to grow houseplant#poisonous if ingested#broad leaf evergreen
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Polyscias
    Family:
    Araliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    In parts of Asia, the leaves are used as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and for digestion issues. The roots are used as an anti-dysentery, diuretic, and for rheumatic and neuralgia type pains.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical Africa to Pacific
    Distribution:
    Native: Angola, Borneo, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Hawaii, India, Jawa, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Mauritius, Mozambique, New Caledonia, New Guinea New South Wales, Nigeria, Northern Territory, Philippines, Queensland, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sumatera, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, Victoria, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Introduced: Bahamas, Bangladesh, China Southeast, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Florida, Haiti, Honduras, Myanmar, Puerto Rico, Tasmania, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles, and Wake Island.
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are globose drupes.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Umbel
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Small, pale yellow to white, in rounded clusters. A seasonal bloomer. Rarely flowers outside of the tropics.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, pinnately divided leaves with 3-7 toothed leaflets, green variegated with white.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Slender, upright branches
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Hedge
    Specimen
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Mouth irritation, nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal problems; skin irritation; Dogs and cats can experience vomiting , diarrhea, anorexia, and depression.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Stems